Riley hosts genetics educator at conference

November 10, 2006|JENNIFER OCHSTEIN Tribune Correspondent

SOUTH BEND Paeton Wantuch, 15, has concerns about how her genetic information is used. She considers her genetic makeup part of her private information and wants to keep it that way. Paeton, a Riley High School freshman, learned why people may want to get ahold of her and others' genetic information during Genetic Update Conference 2006-2007 at Riley High School this week. Paeton said she learned that future or potential employers, among others, may be interested in her genetic makeup for insurance purposes. An honors biology student, Paeton and students in genetics and biology classes from Riley, St. Joseph's, Marian, Culver Academies and John Glenn high schools heard about the latest developments and research during the conference presented by Sam Rhine. Rhine, a genetics educator, travels the country to high schools and colleges lecturing about how genetics can apply to daily life. According to John Wibbens, a genetics and biology teacher at Riley, the school has invited Rhine and area schools to the conference for 15 years. The information and research that Rhine presents changes yearly, Wibbens said, because Rhine keeps up on the newest research regarding genetics and reports that information to students and teachers. "He's applying research data and the genetics to how it impacts humans and the environment," Wibbens said. Rhine then takes the information and asks complex questions about how it applies to daily life and what it means for students. The information Rhine provides, Wibbens said, validates the reason a genetics class exists at Riley and other high schools. Adam Lowe, 18, a senior a Riley, decided to attend Monday's conference with Rhine because he's going to pursue a career in medicine and minor in pharmaceuticals. In his four hours with students, Rhine explored topics ranging from the AIDS pandemic and the likelihood of an avian influenza pandemic in the near future to genetic diseases, stem cell research, cloning and who owns the human genome, 20 percent of which has been patented by private companies.